General George S. Patton’s belief in reincarnation was a defining aspect of his personal philosophy, shaping both his military strategy and his worldview. He was convinced that he had lived multiple lives as a warrior, and he spoke about these past lives with an unusual level of certainty. Unlike most people who speculate about reincarnation as a vague possibility, Patton seemed to have detailed memories and visceral experiences tied to specific historical events.
Patton’s Past-Life Memories
Patton believed he had lived many lives as a soldier, spanning different eras and civilizations. Some of the most notable past lives he claimed to remember include:
1. A Roman Legionnaire – Patton felt a strong connection to ancient Rome and believed he had served as a soldier in Julius Caesar’s army. He often referenced Roman military strategies and admired their discipline.
2. A Carthaginian Warrior in Hannibal’s Army – He was fascinated by Hannibal and his campaigns, particularly the crossing of the Alps. While in North Africa during World War II, Patton claimed to recall fighting in ancient battles there.
3. A Viking Raider – Patton felt he had been a Norse warrior, engaging in violent and ambitious conquests. His aggressive approach to warfare and belief in the warrior’s destiny aligned with Viking ideals.
4. A Knight in the Crusades – He saw himself as a medieval knight, possibly fighting in the Crusades. He admired the chivalric code and had an intense interest in medieval combat.
5. A Marshal in Napoleon’s Army – Patton frequently referenced Napoleon’s campaigns and seemed to have an intimate understanding of the tactics used by his marshals. While in France, he reportedly walked old battlefields and made comments as if he had been there before, saying, “I was here, I remember it perfectly.”
6. A Soldier in the American Civil War – He believed he had fought and died in the U.S. Civil War, possibly as a Confederate soldier. He had an intense connection to battlefield sites and even wrote poetry about past lives as a soldier.
Patton’s “Memories” on the Battlefield
Patton’s past-life beliefs were not just abstract ideas; they influenced how he conducted military campaigns. During World War II, he would visit battle sites and claim to recognize the terrain as if he had fought there in a previous incarnation.
One of the most famous incidents occurred in Sicily in 1943. As he surveyed the terrain, he reportedly said:
“We will attack exactly as Hannibal did here more than 2,000 years ago.”
To his astonished officers, he then detailed the ancient Carthaginian general’s maneuvers as if he had witnessed them firsthand.
Similarly, while in France, Patton believed he had fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Walking through the countryside, he remarked that he had been part of Napoleon’s campaigns and had seen the battlefields before.
Patton’s Poetry on Reincarnation
Patton wrote poetry about his belief in past lives, expressing his certainty that he had fought and died in countless battles. His most famous poem, “Through a Glass, Darkly,” includes lines that reflect his deep conviction in reincarnation:
“So as through a glass, and darkly
The age long strife I see
Where I fought in many guises, many names
But always me.”
This suggests that Patton didn’t just believe in reincarnation in a general sense—he saw it as a warrior’s eternal cycle, where he was reborn again and again to continue fighting.
Philosophical Implications of His Beliefs
Patton’s belief in past lives gave him an almost supernatural confidence in battle. He saw himself as part of an unbroken warrior lineage, destined to fight in every age. This belief made him fearless, sometimes reckless, and completely unafraid of death. He once said:
“Death is nothing but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily.”
His reincarnation philosophy also influenced his leadership style.
